FACET Workshop Presentation – January 2014
UMKC
Who We Are
We are a metropolitan collaborative
working together for systemic change
by advocating for a more equitable region
through education, organizing, and public
policy change.
Mission
Our mission is to create an equitable
region where all people can realize
their full potential in all aspects of life.
Vision of an Equitable Region
When all residents regardless of their
race/ethnicity/nativity, neighborhood of
residence, economic class or other
characteristics, are fully able to participate in
the region’s economic vitality, contribute to the
region’s readiness for the future, and connect
to the region’s assets and resources.
Membership
Our membership includes change agents
working together - community developers,
elected officials, neighborhood leaders, labor,
ex-offenders, students, faith-based organizing
groups, civil rights leaders, environmental
justice advocates, transit riders, public health
representatives, funders, researchers, and
policy advocacy groups…
Accomplishments
1. Created an Equity Lens
• MARC Creating Sustainable Places regional plan
2. Planning for equity in six transit corridors
• Smart Moves regional transit plan, MARC CSP plan
• Key focus for transit investments, including the federal grants
3. Developed Equity Criteria
4. Partnership with Policy Link
• National research and action institute focused on equity
5. Equity Profile of our Region
• One of four cities selected nationally for regional equity analysis
6. Increased capacity building
• Partnerships with local Universities including faculty & students
Equity Lens
Education – the region must assure that all of its members
have full access to the highest quality of education
opportunities
Engagement- “plan with us not for us” Local people must
be included in the planning and distribution of resources to
address the challenges they face in their communities.
Environmental Justice – the region must insure sure that
no single geography or population bears a disproportionate
environmental burden and that all places and people have
equal access to a healthy environment
Equity Lens
Economic Development “development without displacement”
- foster a development strategy that provides all residents with
training opportunities, a broad array of job opportunities for a
variety of skill levels and career paths, and entrepreneurial
resources and opportunities
Housing Choices – build into development and redevelopment
a range of housing types and price points
Equity Lens
Transportation – develop a transportation system that
provides a range of choices and that enhances access to
jobs, services, and other opportunities for all people
Health – develop communities that encourage healthy
lifestyles and provides easy access to healthy foods,
recreating, and health care services
Reinvestment – put in place policies that encourage
reinvestment in existing neighborhoods
Communities of color are
driving Kansas City’s
population growth and
their ability to thrive is
central to the region’s
economic success now
and into the future.
• Why equity matters now…
The face of America is changing.
Our country’s population is rapidly diversifying. By
2043, the United States will be a majority people-ofcolor nation.
• Why equity matters now…
Yet racial and income inequality is high and persistent.
Over the past several decades, longstanding inequities in
income, wealth, health, and opportunity have reached
unprecedented levels, and communities of color have felt the
greatest pains as the economy has shifted and stagnated.
• Why equity matters now…
Strong communities of color are necessary for the
nation’s economic growth and prosperity.
Equity is an economic imperative as well as a moral one.
Research shows that equity and diversity are win-win
propositions for nations, regions, communities, and firms.
• Why equity matters now…
The way forward: an equity-driven growth model.
To secure America’s prosperity, the U.S. must implement a
new economic model based on equity, fairness, and
opportunity.
• Why equity matters now
Metropolitan regions are where this new growth
model will be created.
• Why equity matters now
Metropolitan regions are where this new growth model
will be created.
Regions are the key competitive unit in the global economy,
and the level where strategies are being incubated that bring
about robust job growth that is linked to low-income
communities and communities of color.
Defining the
Greater
Kansas City
Region…
Demographics
Steady Growth and Increasing Change Over the Past Several
Decades
The Kansas City region experienced moderate and steady population growth since 1980, growing from 1.4
million to 1.9 million people. In the same time period, it has gone from being 16 percent people of color to
27 percent people of color.
The Population is Diversifying at an Increasing Pace
Racial/Ethnic Composition, 1980-2010
100%
90%
2%
3%
13%
13%
2%
2%
5%
2%
3%
9%
13%
80%
13%
70%
Other
60%
Native American
50%
Asian/Pacific
Islander
Latino
40%
84%
83%
78%
73%
30%
Black
20%
White
10%
0%
1980
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
1990
2000
2010
Demographics
Steady Growth and Increasing Change Over the Past Several
Decades
…For the past two decades, most of the growth has come from people of color—61 percent of the growth in
the 1990s and 67 percent of the growth in the last decade.
People of Color Contribute the Majority of
the Region’s Growth Since 1990
Total Population Growth and Composition, 1980-2010
Non-Hispanic White
188,950
194,966
People of Color
33%
39%
131,640
71%
67%
61%
29%
1980-1990
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
1990-2000
2000-2010
Demographics
The share of people of color is projected to increase
through 2040
Racial/ Ethnic Composition, 1980 to 2040
U.S. % Whit e
Ot her
Nat ive American
Asian/ Pacific Islander
Lat ino
Black
Whit e
U.S. % Whit e
Ot her
Nat ive American
Asian/ Pacific Islander
Lat ino
Black
Whit e
2%
13%
3%
13%
84%
83%
2%
2%
5%
13%
2%
3%
9%
3%
3%
12%
3%
4%
16%
4%
5%
21%
13%
13%
78%
12%
73%
11%
69%
64%
58%
1980 18%
1%
2%
5%
14%
29%
3%
2%
14%
21%
1990
2000
18% 2010
17%
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; Woods & Poole Economics.
65%
58%
1%
3%
6%
21%
35%
1%2%
5%7%
1% 2%
6% 8%
2% 2%
7% 9%
29%
41%
35%47%
41%52%
2020
2030
17%
65%
17%
Projected
17%
58%
2040
Demographics
The racial generation gap between youth and seniors has
more than doubled since 1980
Percent People of Color (POC) by Age Group, 1980 to 2010
Percent of seniors who are POC
Percent of youth who are POC
36%
21 percent age
point gap
21%
9 percent age point gap
15%
70%
12%
33 percentage
point gap
1980
1990
2000
2010
42%
Source:
U.S. Census Bureau.
17 percentage
Note: Gap value may not equal the difference in percentages shown due to
point
gap
rounding.
25%
37%
An Equity Profile of the KansasCity Region
PolicyLink and PERE
Readiness
An education and skills gap for people of color
Educational Attainment by Race/ Ethnicity/ Nativity, 2006-2010
Bachelor's degree or higher
Associat e's degree
Some college
High school grad
Less t han high school diploma
22%
18%
40%
9%
48%
56%
2%
9%
8%
26%
7%
27%
24%
7%
53%
24%
32%
34%
7%
25%
24%
16%
40%
22%
14%
5%
Black
17%
8%
15%
13%
White
5%
11%
6%
2%
10%
3%
60%
12%
Latino, U.S.-born Latino, Immigrant Asian, U.S.-born Asian, Immigrant
7%
Source: IPUMS. Universe includes all persons ages 25 through 64.
23%
23%
53%
Inequality threatens the region’s future prosperity
Income inequality is on the rise in the region
…most workers have seen their wages decline or stagnate over the
past several decades after you account for inflation. The bottom half of
the region’s full-time workers, for example, have seen their wages fall 6
percent since 1979, while the wages of the top 10 percent of workers
rose 13 percent.
Inequality threatens the region’s future prosperity
As inequality has increased, the region’s middle class has shrunk and
poverty and working poverty (defined as working full-time for an income
below 150 percent of the poverty level) have grown.
More than one out of every four African Americans and Latinos in
our region live below the poverty level.
Implications of Equity Profile of KC region
To secure a prosperous future, the region’s leaders
must take steps to build a more equitable and
sustainable economy…
• growing good jobs
• connecting youth and vulnerable workers to
education and training
• increasing access to economic opportunities located
throughout the region.
These are critical strategies to put all who live in the
region on the path toward reaching their full potential.
Where do we go from here?
1. Build Relationships
2. Share Facts
3. Develop Policy Together
NEXT STEPS
KC Regional Equity Network - Quarterly Meeting
February 14th from 9-11 am
Where: Mary Kelly Center, 2803 E. 51st Street Kansas City, MO